The dispute has arisen after Three Lions players sought to take control of their sponsorship activities while on international duty by ending a deal with 1966 Entertainment which used to negotiate on their behalf.

The stars and their agents had been unhappy income from such deals had dropped to around £150,000-a-year per player.

The FA has set up a players' committee to handle future commercial deals on behalf of the squad.

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England team stop for a photo after landing back in Britain in July(Pic: @england)

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But some players outside it have complained their voices have not been heard and they have been kept in the dark.

Some fear they could end up with slim pickings from future deals compared to big name players Iike Kane.

Such is the seriousness of the issue the players held talks with their legal advisers and the FA after meeting up at England's St George's Park HQ to prepare for tomorrow night's Nations League clash against Croatia.

Last night a source close to one of the players said: "It is getting a few backs up but we've not got to the stage of downing tools – or rather boots.

"The real worry is if it creates ill feeling in the team just at a time when England are doing rather well. That would be a disaster.''